Method and means for forming and lifting parcels or packages comprising at least two stacks or units of goods, and an apparatus for forming such parcels

ABSTRACT

Methods and means for forming and lifting parcels comprising at least two stacks of units of goods (A, B) comprising a lifting sling or a load carrying band ( 1 ) that is arranged to surround the stacks in a manner where it follows the outer contour of the stacks and where a loop of the band is arranged to protrude upwards in an intermediate space between the stacks to form an intermediate section ( 3 ) that can be served by a lifting device ( 2 ). The intermediate section ( 3 ) is arranged at a vertical level below the top of the stacks and further above the centre of gravity (G) of the parcel. The invention also relates to an apparatus for forming said parcel.

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and means for forming large parcels or packages of goods comprising a lifting sling or load carrying band that can be lifted by a lifting device. In one embodiment the invention relates to forming such parcels comprising a relatively wide band. The invention further relates to an apparatus for forming said parcels or packages.

[0002] The Applicants own patent application WO 98/26977 discloses a lifting sling or -belt that surrounds one pair of stacks of units of goods, where the sling is in the form of a closed loop of a belt having a width substantially equal to the transverse with of the stacks. One limitation with this solution is that the sling has a lifting eye that is located above the upper part of the goods to be lifted, and consequently there is a need for a somewhat comprehensive handling space above the goods. This implies that it is difficult to take full advantage of the loading volume of for instance containers or corresponding storage/transport equipment having a fixed ceiling. The same problem will apply when storing this type of goods in storage systems based on shelves. Hence, valuable transport/storage capacity can not easily be exploited in a rational manner, because the upper part of the loading space has to be filled manually. The apparatus disclosed in this reference for forming the sling, is in particular suited for forming a sling where the loop ends in a lifting eye above the goods to be lifted.

[0003] SE-B-362 860 discloses a combined lifting and strapping device to be applied at two stacks of goods, where the strap surrounds the goods and has a loop-formed part raising up between the two stacks of goods. The upper part of the loop-formed part is connected with an upper, horizontal part of the strap by means of a lifting eye. The purpose of this connection is to support the loop-formed part and to restrict same from falling down in the space between the two stacks. In lifting operations, one lifting device (hook) will in all situations be applied at a vertical level above the stacks because the lowest point of attack to a lifting ring will be at the level of the stacks plus the thickness of the lifting part of the hook itself. Followed by elongation of the strap (all materials will elongate by tension) and also by compression of the small strap into the load, the strap will be stretched and the lifting ring will be at a reasonable elevated height with respect to the stacks when the lifting hook is applied.

[0004] With the present invention the above mentioned disadvantages can be avoided. In accordance with the present invention it is now possible to handle goods comprising at least one pair of stacks of units of goods surrounded by a load carrying band, where the lifting point of the band is situated at a vertical level lower than the height of the goods itself.

[0005] In the following the present invention will be further described by examples and figures where:

[0006]FIG. 1 is a sketch showing a load carrying band surrounding two stacks of goods A and B, seen in perspective,

[0007]FIG. 2 is a sketch showing distribution of forces to a parcel involving the load carrying band in FIG. 1, seen in a front view,

[0008]FIG. 3a is a sketch showing the band in FIG. 2 with a reinforced intermediate section,

[0009]FIG. 3b shows in an enlarged view the reinforced intermediate section as shown in FIG. 3a,

[0010]FIG. 4 shows in one embodiment an apparatus for applying the load carrying band around the goods,

[0011]FIG. 5 shows in another embodiment an apparatus for applying the load carrying band around the goods to be lifted,

[0012]FIGS. 6a-c shows a third embodiment for applying a load carrying band, where the ends of the band are joined after the band is brought to surround two units of goods,

[0013]FIG. 7 shows from above, a sketch of an installation for forming parcel with a load carrying band comprising a load carrying band applying station and two stretching/band end joining stations.

[0014]FIG. 8 is a sketch showing a load carrying band surrounding two stacks of goods A and B, seen in perspective where the intermediate section can be provided with an insert,

[0015]FIG. 9 is a sketch showing a second embodiment of a load carrying band surrounding two stacks of goods A and B, seen in perspective.

[0016] In FIG. 1 there is shown two stacks of goods, A and B that may comprise piles of sacks or any other type of load that can be surrounded by the band 1, thus forming a parcel P. The band 1 is of an width appropriate for securing the load in a satisfactory manner. For some type of loads this implicates that the band has a width positively wider than the width of the load. In this manner the protruding part of the band will tend to fold inwards against the front- and back sides of the load, and consequently the goods will be better secured against spilling out of the load carrying band. In other applications the band can be more narrow than the width of the load, and several individual bands can also be applied in accordance with the invention. The band can be of any convenient material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, paper, jute etc. The band may be constituted of any type of web-material such as homogenous band, a net or woven fabric, or a band with sides of a shrinkable material, for instance a heat-shrinkable material.

[0017] As seen in the figure, the band is formed to surround the stacks A and B where it has an upper planar section 4, two sides 5 and 6, two bottom parts 7 and 8 and finally a central, vertically projecting part 9. The central part 9 consists of a first vertical extending part of the band 10 connected with the bottom part 7, and a second vertical extending part 11 connected with the bottom part 8. The two vertically extending parts 10 and 11 are connected together through an intermediate section 3 in which there can be introduced a lifting device 2. Advantageously the mutual frictional forces between the load carrying band and the goods and between parts of the band itself (section 10 and 11) are sufficiently high that the load carrying band will be of a self-locking nature i.e. as the goods are surrounded by the band in a proper manner, the band will rest firmly and the intermediate section 3 will be maintained in its correct position, and consequently the parcel will be stable.

[0018] The lifting device may be formed as a bar 2 or a rod or the like with a cross-section suitable for entering into the intermediate section 3. It should further be understood that the parcel can be lifted by entering one bar in each ends of the intermediate section. In this sense a lifting yoke having inwardly movable lifting bars can be applied (not shown).

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3 b, the intermediate section may be provided with reinforcement to render a secure and even force distribution to the vertical parts 10, 11 of the band. For instance, the intermediate section may be reinforced by a tubular elongate element 20 which is adapted to receive the lifting device 2, whereby the lifting device can be introduced into the element 20. The element shown in the figures has a circular cross-section, but it should be understood that any convenient cross-sectional shape may be applied. Even an U-shaped (upside down) cross-section may be applied as reinforcing element (not shown). The element shown in FIGS. 3a-b may be produced from any convenient material, such as cardboard paper, plastics material, metallic materials etc., depending on parameters such as price, strength and durability.

[0020]FIG. 2 relates to the stability of a parcel where the distribution of gravitational forces versus lifting forces is indicated. In case the two stacks A and B have the same density and volume, analyses based upon symmetry can be applied. The centre of gravity in stack A is denoted by g, where the weight is represented by the force f. Similarly with stack B, where centre of gravity is denoted by g′, the corresponding weight is denoted by f. The centre of gravity of the parcel as such will be at G, which is situated in the middle of axis 0-0. At this point the total weight of the parcel is given as F′, which is equal to f+f′. In the figure the lifting force is indicated as F, and acts at a point in between the two stacks of load denoted by 3. The distance between F′ and F is given as h. In dynamic handling conditions, i.e. lifting the parcel at 3, the parcel can swing about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the paper. The parcel will be self-stabilizing under the condition: h>0.

[0021]FIG. 4 shows an apparatus for applying a load carrying band 34 to the goods to be lifted/transported. The goods enter the packaging zone by a conveyor 30, that may be an endless band conveyor. At the packaging station the conveyor has a non-driven part 33 that may be constituted by non-driven rollers 31. At the side of the non-driven part 33 there is arranged a load carrying band 34, which is spread out by elements or rollers 35, 36, 37, 38, arranged in four corners of the band. In this embodiment the band is an endless band with a joint 39, where its two ends are joined by welding, sewing, glueing or any other appropriate joining method.

[0022] A lifting or positioning device 44 comprising a plurality of forks 43 is arranged to handle the goods from the stationary position at the non driven rollers 31 into the spread-out load carrying band 34. Undesired length wise movement of the forks 43 can be restricted by vertically movable locking plates 45, 45′ that can be retracted when the forks are activated. The positioning device is arranged to be moved both in its length wise direction and its vertical direction.

[0023] It should be understood that the non-driven part of the conveyor can be retracted or folded downwards in the handling operation of the goods into the load carrying band. In one embodiment the non-driven part can be constituted by two parts hinged about a horizontal axis which can manipulate the units of goods to be spread apart at their lowermost part. The purpose of this feature is to render a free space for the formation of the loop, as well as experience has shown that the units should be in firm abutment at its upper part in the loop forming operation to achieve a good stability of the parcel.

[0024] The loop of the band is formed by means of stretch elements or rollers 40, 41. These rollers co-operate with a mandrel or roller 42 intended to be positioned below the band, and further to be elevated between the two rollers 40, 41. In this elevating operation, the band will be folded upwards and form a loop in-between the two units of goods. The band length is adapted to give a firm fit, where at the same time the upper end of the loop ends below the upper part of the goods, but above the centre of gravity of the goods. In the figure these means are shown in a retracted position.

[0025] It should be understood that, whenever appropriate, a reinforcing element 20 can be introduced onto the mandrel before its elevating operation, thus leaving the reinforcing element in a ready-to-use condition as the mandrel is retracted.

[0026] Following this operation, the packaged goods will ready for further transport. In the present embodiment, the goods will be placed upon a conveyer 32 for this purpose.

[0027]FIG. 5 discloses an other embodiment of an apparatus for applying a load carrying band 134 around a pair of units of goods. The goods enters the packaging zone by means of a conveyor 130, that may be an endless band conveyor. At the packaging station the conveyor has one individually driven part 133 that may be constituted by one relatively short endless belt. At the side of and above this arrangement there is arranged a load carrying band 134, which is spread out by elements or rollers 135, 136, 137, 138, arranged in four corners of the band. As in the foregoing embodiment, the band can be an endless band with a joint 139, where its two ends are joined by welding, sewing, glueing or any other appropriate joining method. It should be understood that the band may be jointed in situ by appropriate methods.

[0028] A tilting device comprising a plurality of levers 143, 143′ is arranged to handle the goods from the stationary position at the part 133 in position with respect to the spreaded-out load carrying band 134. In this position the goods will be tilted from the part 133 and onto platforms 150, 151. The platforms may be arranged to swing about a horizontal axis 152, 152′ and further be swung individually about a vertical axis, the reason for which will be explained below. When the goods are in position, the load carrying band will be lowered downwards to surround the goods.

[0029] At one side (bottom part) of the band there is arranged a set of stretching elements or rollers 140, 141. These rollers co-operate with a mandrel or roller 142 intended to be positioned at the outer side of the band, and further to be moved side wards between the two rollers 140, 141. In this operation, the band will be folded side wards and form a loop in between the two units of goods. The platforms 150, 151 may be swinged to adjust the position of the goods with respect to this operation, i.e. forming a space in-between the two units of goods for allowing the roller 142 to pass through this space. It should be understood that the length of the band is adapted to give the band a firm fit, where at the same time the upper end of the loop ends below the upper part of the goods, but above the centre of gravity of the goods in lifting mode.

[0030] Following this operation the roller 142 is retracted and the packaging is tilted back on the conveyer by tilting the platforms 150, 151 about their axis 152. Following this operation, the packaged goods will be ready for further transport. In the present embodiment, the goods will be placed upon a conveyer 132 for this purpose.

[0031] In both embodiments described above, the band may be pre-manufactured as an endless band, or it can be made in situ from an appropriate material source. In the latter case, a required length of the band will be taken from the storage that may be a spool or the like, and cut in a predetermined length. Following that the two ends of the band will be joined by sewing, glueing, welding or the like. The load carrying band can be made in situ upon the elements, or entered upon these elements after its manufacture.

[0032]FIGS. 6a-c shows a third embodiment for applying a load carrying band, where the ends of the band are joined after the band is brought to surround two units of goods. In FIG. 6a there is shown a load carrying band 234 having spooled ends 250, 251. The band is arranged in an application unit 252, having two inclined base platforms 253, 254 onto which the band is brought to rest. The platforms are arranged upon a base structure 255. In the middle of the two platforms there is arranged in an upward manner a stationary support structure 256 onto which the load carrying band forms a loop 261. The height of the structure 256 is lower than the actual height of the load to be handled. In the embodiment shown in the figure there is arranged a tubular element 257 on the top of the structure 256 which supports the loop, but in principle the loop may be formed without such tubular element. The structure then should have an U-shape at its top, to facilitate the entrance of a lifting device beneath the loop. The top part of the loop thus forms an intermediate section that can be served by a lifting device. Slightly above the inclined platforms and close to the support structure, there are arranged elements or rollers 258, 259 whose purpose is to tie-in the load carrying band in these regions. The elements 258, 259 can be retractably mounted upon a frame (not shown).

[0033] In FIG. 6b there is arranged two units of load A′, B′ upon the platforms 253, 254 respectively.

[0034] In FIG. 6c the spooled ends 250, 251 of the load carrying band 234 as shown in FIG. 6a are unwound and arranged to surround the two units of goods A′, B′. The two ends of the band are in this embodiment put together at one side of the upper part of the units of goods and joined together by a joining device 260 that may be a device for performing sewing, glueing, welding or similar joining operations. Following the joining operation of the end of the band, the elements 258, 259 can be retracted and the parcel P′ thus formed may be lifted by entering a lifting device into the tubular element 257. As will be seen of the figure, the sides of the support structure 256 facing the load have a slight angular deviation with respect to the perpendicular to the base structure. This angular deviation together with the inclination of the base platforms 253, 254 will as such contribute to initiate a pulling force in the load carrying band as the load being lifted out of the application unit, because the two units of load then will tend to meet along their mutual sides.

[0035]FIG. 7 shows from above, a sketch of an installation for forming parcels (P″, P′″) with a load carrying band (314) comprising a load carrying band applying station 300 and two stretching/band end joining stations 301, 302. In this arrangement, load carrying bands 303, 304, are fed into the applying station from two sides. A manipulator 305 is arranged to take goods, for instance sacks 308, 309 arriving via a conveyor 307, and to enter the goods into one load carrying band 314 that is arranged in advance at the applying station. In the figure piles of sacks 310, 311, 312, 313 are arranged into the band 314. Following the completion of the process entering the goods into the band, the pre-formed parcel is transported to one stretching/band end joining station 301, 302 for further processing. The joining operation can be performed in accordance with that described under FIGS. 6a-c. A stretching operation of the load carrying band can then be performed, and finished parcels can be lifted and transported away by a truck T, T′ or a similar transport device having appropriate lifting gear. The stretching operation can be performed by applying a lifting force for instance 2-3 times the weight of the load while restricting the load against being lifted. Due to the properties of the material (friction, stretchability etc.) the parcel thus formed can be in a state where the band can rest with a certain degree of pretension.

[0036] The above disclosed installation for forming parcels will be simple and at the same time have good load-handling capacity.

[0037] One preferred application of the invention is handling of thermal insulation materials, such as glass wool, rock wool or similar. Such products may be layered, and these layers should advantageously be oriented in such a manner that they become vertically oriented in the following lifting operation. This will render both good stability and gentle handling of the product.

[0038] In FIG. 8 there is shown a load carrying band surrounding two stacks of goods A and B, seen in perspective, where the intermediate section can be provided with an insert 120 similar to that of element 20 as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3 b. The insert 120 can be made out of a compact material, and further be placed in the intermediate section 103 (similar to that shown in FIG. 3a). Alternatively, the insert can be made out of a compressible material such as glass wool or rock wool. In the figure the insert has a cylindrical, elongate shape similar to that of the width of the band 104, and is inserted as a process step when a parcel is formed. It should be understood that other appropriate elongated inserts of various cross-sections can be applied as well. By the introduction of an appropriate lifting device in the intermediate section 103, the insert 120 will either be pressed out of said section or to the side, allowing the lifting device to pass at the side thereof. The purpose of the insert is to ease the introduction of a lifting device.

[0039]FIG. 9 discloses a second embodiment of a load carrying band surrounding two stacks of goods A and B, seen in perspective. In this embodiment the band surrounding the stacks has an intermediate section 203 that is formed by means of two intermediate parts 211, 212 of the band that are secured to the upper section of the band 204. The intermediate parts can be secured to the upper section by means of making folds 213, 214 into which the upper ends of the intermediate parts 211, 212 are entered and further be secured by sewing 215 or any appropriate joining method. By securing the intermediate parts 211, 212 arranged with a predefined space between said parts, there is provided a space in the intermediate section for the introduction of a lifting device.

[0040] In accordance with the above standing embodiments it should be understood that the part of the band forming the intermediate section can be formed into a lifting eye by any appropriate means. The lifting gear (not shown) may then alternatively be applied to the intermediate section through a hole in the upper section of the band.

[0041] Further, it should be understood that modifying for instance the prior art solution as given in previously mentioned WO 98/26977 by mutually joining the similar intermediate parts of the suspension loop to form a similar intermediate section for lifting at a level below the top of the stacks and further above the centre of gravity of the parcel, will be within the scope of the invention. Such joining can be done by appropriate joining methods e.g. sewing, gluing, welding or the similar. 

1. A method for forming and lifting parcels comprising at least two stacks or units of goods (A, B) where a lifting sling or a load carrying band (1) is arranged to surround the stacks in a manner to follow the outer contour of the stacks thus forming a parcel (P), and where a loop of the band is further arranged to protrude upwards in an intermediate space between said stacks, the loop thus forming an intermediate section (3) that can be served by a lifting device for lifting the parcel (P), characterised in that the intermediate section (3) is arranged in such a manner that when the parcel is lifted the lifting device will be applied at vertical level below the top of the parcel (P) and further above its centre of gravity (G).
 2. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the intermediate section is reinforced by the introduction of a reinforcing element (20).
 3. A method in accordance with claim 1-2, characterised in that the parcel is lifted by introducing a bar, rod or the like (2) into the intermediate section (3).
 4. A method in accordance with claim 1-2, characterised in that the parcel is lifted by introducing a bar or the like into each end of the intermediate section (3).
 5. Means for forming and lifting parcels comprising at least two stacks or units of goods (A, B) comprising a lifting sling or a load carrying band that is arranged to surround the stacks in a manner where it follows the outer contour of the stacks and where a loop of the band is arranged to protrude upwards in an intermediate space between the stacks to form an intermediate section (3) that can be served by a lifting device, characterised in that the intermediate section (3) is arranged at a vertical level below the top of the stacks and further above the centre of gravity (G) of the parcel.
 6. Means in accordance with claim 5, characterised in that the intermediate section (3) is reinforced by a tubular reinforcing element (20).
 7. Means in accordance with claim 6, characterised in that the tubular reinforcing element (20) is made out of cardboard paper, polypropylene, polyethylene or other appropriate material.
 8. Means in accordance with claim 5, characterised in that the band is made out of a suitable material and is wider than the width of the stacks, where it covers partly the sides of the stacks.
 9. Means in accordance with claim 5, characterised in that the band is of a material where the parcel will be stable after its application, because of frictional forces between the band and the stacks of goods and mutual parts of the band itself (10, 11).
 10. Apparatus for forming parcels comprising at least two stacks or units of goods (A, B) where a lifting sling or a load carrying band (1) is arranged to surround the stacks in a manner to follow the outer contour of the stacks thus forming a parcel (P), and where a loop of the band is further arranged to protrude upwards in an intermediate space between said stacks, the loop thus forming an intermediate section (3) that can be served by a lifting device for lifting the parcel (P), the apparatus comprises four elements or rollers (35, 36, 37, 38) to make the band surrounding the two stacks as a whole, two stretching elements or rollers (40, 41) positioned in the vicinity of two mutually facing corners of the two units of goods (A, B), and a device for entering and forming the loop between said units (A, B) and said two stretching elements (40, 41), characterised in that the device for forming the loop is constituted by a mandrel or roller (42) intended to push the band inwards between the two stretching elements and into the space between the units of goods where the intermediate section (3) will be arranged in such a manner that when the parcel is lifted the attacking vertical level of the lifting device will be at a level below the top of the parcel (P) and further above its centre of gravity (G).
 11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10, characterised in that the elements (35, 36, 37, 38), the two stretching elements (40, 41) and the mandrel (42) are arranged with their length axis in the vertical direction.
 12. Apparatus for forming parcels comprising at least two stacks or units of goods (A′, B′) where a lifting sling or a load carrying band (234) is arranged to surround the stacks in a manner to follow the outer contour of the stacks thus forming a parcel (P′), and where a loop (261) of the band is further arranged to protrude upwards in an intermediate space between said stacks, the loop thus forming an intermediate section (262) that can be served by a lifting device for lifting the parcel (P′), the apparatus comprises two elements or rollers (258, 259) positioned in the vicinity of two mutually facing corners of the two units of goods (A′, B′), and a device (256) for entering and forming the loop between said units (A′, B′) and said two elements (258, 259), characterised in that the device for forming the loop is constituted by a support structure arranged in an upwards manner (256) that is lower than the height of the goods to be handled, and that preferably supports a tubular element 257 onto which the band is arranged, the intermediate section (262) will be arranged in such a manner that when the parcel is lifted the attacking vertical level of the lifting device will be at a level below the top of the parcel (P′) and further above its centre of gravity (G), the apparatus further comprises means (260) for joining the two ends of the load carrying band (234).
 13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12, characterised in that it comprises one station (300) for entering load.(310, 311, 312, 313) into a load carrying band (314) for pre-forming a parcel, where the apparatus further comprises at least one band stretching/band end joining station (301, 302) for finishing the forming of the parcel (P″, P′″.) 